In the heart of the Côte des Blancs, the village of Cramant is a gem. One of the 17 villages classified as Grand Cru, it is no coincidence that Maison Mumm has been established there since 1882.
On this renowned Champagne terroir, climatic influences combine with the nature of the soils and the hillside location to provide ideal growing conditions. Facing east, the vineyard benefits from sunshine from the morning and for most of the day, which promotes the growth of the grape clusters. True to GH Mumm’s motto “Only the best”, Maison Mumm has given a special place to the Crament terroir since the 19th century. Today its vineyard covers 20 hectares.
“Cramant takes its name from Mont de Craie,” explains Chrisophe Daviaux, Head of Cultivation of this vineyard for Mumm. This is to say that the limestone soil plays a predominant role here. The chalk can be seen from 20 cm below the surface, a superficial arrangement that is a characteristic of the terroir. This is the kingdom of Chardonnay, the chalky soil giving it freshness and minerality. However, the terroir of Cramant gives this grape variety a complexity and richness that is not found elsewhere.
“The Chardonnays from Cramant are not only subtle and airy,” says Magalie Maréchal, assistant to the Cellar Master: “they have this smoothness and structure which provide an inestimable extra.” This explains why Cramant is the unique vintage of RSRV Blanc de Blancs, whose style it perfectly embodies. It is also found in the blends of the RSRV 4.5 and RSRV Rosé Foujita vintages, to which it brings a mineral touch. It then appears at its true value, that of a must-have.
